Patents by Inventor Samuel Whitley

Samuel Whitley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11706643
    Abstract: Novel techniques are described for generation, distribution, and management of route connectivity optimization (RCO) mapping. For example, as mobile devices traverse travel routes serviced by one or more mobile networks, they can experience periods of different levels of connectivity with the mobile network(s). Embodiments can collect route segment connectivity data as experienced by consumer devices during traversal through mobile networks (e.g., indicating, for each route segment, which carriers are providing service to a mobile device, the level of service being provided, etc.). A RCO can be computed and stored for the set of route segments as a function of the route segment connectivity data. The RCO can be requested by consumers, and a corresponding link can be generated. Selecting the link can provide the consumers with remote access to the RCO, with which the consumers can generate connectivity-optimized route guidance maps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: Samuel Whitley
  • Publication number: 20220377581
    Abstract: Novel techniques are described for generation, distribution, and management of route connectivity optimization (RCO) mapping. For example, as mobile devices traverse travel routes serviced by one or more mobile networks, they can experience periods of different levels of connectivity with the mobile network(s). Embodiments can collect route segment connectivity data as experienced by consumer devices during traversal through mobile networks (e.g., indicating, for each route segment, which carriers are providing service to a mobile device, the level of service being provided, etc.). A RCO can be computed and stored for the set of route segments as a function of the route segment connectivity data. The RCO can be requested by consumers, and a corresponding link can be generated. Selecting the link can provide the consumers with remote access to the RCO, with which the consumers can generate connectivity-optimized route guidance maps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventor: Samuel Whitley
  • Patent number: 11445384
    Abstract: Novel techniques are described for generation, distribution, and management of route connectivity optimization (RCO) mapping. For example, as mobile devices traverse travel routes serviced by one or more mobile networks, they can experience periods of different levels of connectivity with the mobile network(s). Embodiments can collect route segment connectivity data as experienced by consumer devices during traversal through mobile networks (e.g., indicating, for each route segment, which carriers are providing service to a mobile device, the level of service being provided, etc.). A RCO can be computed and stored for the set of route segments as a function of the route segment connectivity data. The RCO can be requested by consumers, and a corresponding link can be generated. Selecting the link can provide the consumers with remote access to the RCO, with which the consumers can generate connectivity-optimized route guidance maps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: DISH Network L.L.C.
    Inventor: Samuel Whitley
  • Publication number: 20210105637
    Abstract: Novel techniques are described for generation, distribution, and management of route connectivity optimization (RCO) mapping. For example, as mobile devices traverse travel routes serviced by one or more mobile networks, they can experience periods of different levels of connectivity with the mobile network(s). Embodiments can collect route segment connectivity data as experienced by consumer devices during traversal through mobile networks (e.g., indicating, for each route segment, which carriers are providing service to a mobile device, the level of service being provided, etc.). A RCO can be computed and stored for the set of route segments as a function of the route segment connectivity data. The RCO can be requested by consumers, and a corresponding link can be generated. Selecting the link can provide the consumers with remote access to the RCO, with which the consumers can generate connectivity-optimized route guidance maps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventor: Samuel Whitley
  • Patent number: 10658729
    Abstract: Various arrangements for aligning a satellite antenna is presented. An expected date and an expected time for an expected conjunction of the satellite antenna, a satellite that transmits data to a remote terminal and the sun may be determined using positional data. A signal may be received by the antenna that comprises a data transmission from the satellite and interference from the sun. Based on the received signal, a date and time during which an interference level is at a peak interference level can be determined. An azimuthal or elevational alignment for the satellite antenna to be aligned with the satellite based on the time during which the interference level is at the peak interference level may be determined. An alignment of the satellite antenna may be performed based on the determined azimuthal or elevational alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Samuel Whitley, Silas Cole
  • Publication number: 20190036196
    Abstract: Various arrangements for aligning a satellite antenna is presented. An expected date and an expected time for an expected conjunction of the satellite antenna, a satellite that transmits data to a remote terminal and the sun may be determined using positional data. A signal may be received by the antenna that comprises a data transmission from the satellite and interference from the sun. Based on the received signal, a date and time during which an interference level is at a peak interference level can be determined. An azimuthal or elevational alignment for the satellite antenna to be aligned with the satellite based on the time during which the interference level is at the peak interference level may be determined. An alignment of the satellite antenna may be performed based on the determined azimuthal or elevational alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Samuel WHITLEY, Silas COLE
  • Patent number: 10164319
    Abstract: An approach for determining remote terminal antenna alignment in a satellite communications system is provided. A point in time for an expected conjunction of an a remote terminal antenna, a satellite in communication with the remote terminal and the Sun is determined based on predetermined positional data. An interference level imposed by the Sun on communication signals between the antenna and the satellite is measured at a number of respective points in time. A one of the points in time is determined when the interference is at a peak level. Then information regarding alignment of the antenna with respect to the satellite is determined, wherein the determination of the antenna alignment information is based on a comparison between the one point in time of the peak interference level and the expected point in time of the conjunction of the antenna, the satellite and the Sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Samuel Whitley, Silas Cole
  • Publication number: 20180159198
    Abstract: An approach for determining remote terminal antenna alignment in a satellite communications system is provided. A point in time for an expected conjunction of an a remote terminal antenna, a satellite in communication with the remote terminal and the Sun is determined based on predetermined positional data. An interference level imposed by the Sun on communication signals between the antenna and the satellite is measured at a number of respective points in time. A one of the points in time is determined when the interference is at a peak level. Then information regarding alignment of the antenna with respect to the satellite is determined, wherein the determination of the antenna alignment information is based on a comparison between the one point in time of the peak interference level and the expected point in time of the conjunction of the antenna, the satellite and the Sun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Samuel WHITLEY, Silas COLE
  • Patent number: 9912036
    Abstract: An approach for determining remote terminal antenna alignment in a satellite communications system is provided. A point in time for an expected conjunction of an a remote terminal antenna, a satellite in communication with the remote terminal and the Sun is determined based on predetermined positional data. An interference level imposed by the Sun on communication signals between the antenna and the satellite is measured at a number of respective points in time. A one of the points in time is determined when the interference is at a peak level. Then information regarding alignment of the antenna with respect to the satellite is determined, wherein the determination of the antenna alignment information is based on a comparison between the one point in time of the peak interference level and the expected point in time of the conjunction of the antenna, the satellite and the Sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Samuel Whitley, Silas Cole
  • Patent number: 9258665
    Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to present audio content of a received media content stream in a plurality of user controllable spot focused sound regions. An exemplary embodiment receives an audio content stream comprising at least a first audio channel and a second audio channel; multiplies the first audio channel into a plurality of first audio channels, multiplies the second audio channel into a plurality of second audio channels; communicates a first one of the multiplied plurality of first audio channels and a first one of the multiplied plurality of second audio channels to a first audio sound region controller; and communicates a second one of the multiplied plurality of first audio channels and a second one of the multiplied plurality of second audio channels to a second audio sound region controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Samuel Whitley
  • Publication number: 20160036117
    Abstract: An approach for determining remote terminal antenna alignment in a satellite communications system is provided. A point in time for an expected conjunction of an a remote terminal antenna, a satellite in communication with the remote terminal and the Sun is determined based on predetermined positional data. An interference level imposed by the Sun on communication signals between the antenna and the satellite is measured at a number of respective points in time. A one of the points in time is determined when the interference is at a peak level. Then information regarding alignment of the antenna with respect to the satellite is determined, wherein the determination of the antenna alignment information is based on a comparison between the one point in time of the peak interference level and the expected point in time of the conjunction of the antenna, the satellite and the Sun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Samuel WHITLEY, Silas COLE
  • Patent number: 8732742
    Abstract: Customer premises weather station systems and methods are operable to present local weather information on a media presentation system display located at the customer premises. An exemplary embodiment detects at least one ambient weather condition using a detector located at a customer premises, determines occurrence of a degradation of at least one characteristic of an over the air (OTA) media content signal received by a receiving antenna located at the customer premises, and generates a report in response to the determined degradation of the OTA media content signal characteristic. The report is configured to be presented on a display to a customer. The report may indicate the at least one ambient weather condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Samuel Whitley
  • Publication number: 20120185769
    Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to present audio content of a received media content stream in a plurality of user controllable spot focused sound regions. An exemplary embodiment receives an audio content stream comprising at least a first audio channel and a second audio channel; multiplies the first audio channel into a plurality of first audio channels, multiplies the second audio channel into a plurality of second audio channels; communicates a first one of the multiplied plurality of first audio channels and a first one of the multiplied plurality of second audio channels to a first audio sound region controller; and communicates a second one of the multiplied plurality of first audio channels and a second one of the multiplied plurality of second audio channels to a second audio sound region controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventor: Samuel Whitley
  • Publication number: 20120110614
    Abstract: Customer premises weather station systems and methods are operable to present local weather information on a media presentation system display located at the customer premises. An exemplary embodiment detects at least one ambient weather condition using a detector located at a customer premises, determines occurrence of a degradation of at least one characteristic of an over the air (OTA) media content signal received by a receiving antenna located at the customer premises, and generates a report in response to the determined degradation of the OTA media content signal characteristic. The report is configured to be presented on a display to a customer. The report may indicate the at least one ambient weather condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventor: Samuel Whitley